The unveiling of a new wax statue, skilfully created to represent the late singer Sinéad O’Connor, has taken place at the National Waxworks Museum in Dublin, located adjacent to O’Connell Bridge, a year following her premature passing. However, the wax replica, instead of reflecting the impetuous, tempestuous, and ephemeral young woman of the 1990s that it’s intended to portray, gives an impression more akin to an obsolete mannequin from a department store in East Germany.
The macabre nature of waxworks, considered unnerving by many, can be traced back to their historical roots in medieval customs where the lifeless bodies of deceased monarchs were exhibited to the populace. In an effort to mitigate the putrefaction caused by warm climates, wax effigies were crafted as a substitute.
Waxworks evolved to become popular tourist stops in many cities across Europe by the 18th century and, astonishingly, have managed to survive as a quaint sort of entertainment despite an influx of contemporary alternatives. Yet, the uncanny air of mortality persists in this tradition.
Paddy Dunning, the proprietor of the museum, provides insight in a video, stating that O’Connor’s wax figure was based on her most celebrated performance, as witnessed in the music video for Nothing Compares 2 U. He discusses how the waxwork lauds her gravitas as a professional artist within the context of the emotionally stirring music video, which he believes resonated deeply with many.
However, Dunning admits with candid fairness that O’Connor would likely find humour in her greyscale counterpart, a conjecture he seems sure about.
The little terrifying statue of Terry Wogan in Limerick and the heavily criticised Ronaldo in Madeira airport are public art, unlike this one. To view the wax renditions of “Sinéad”, “Jedward” and a decent “Father Ted”, folks have to shell out quite a sizable lump of money. Following my purchase of an entrance ticket, I cautiously walk past representations of Albert Einstein, Boris Karloff and a disappointingly small T-Rex, only to find myself in a room where the likes of Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Van Morrison, and U2 are head-to-head with Darth Vader and the remaining Star Wars entourage. The entire scene is akin to an intensely colourful dream induced by cheese.
However, who is this diminutive figure hidden below Darth’s arm? Is it Yoda? Or possibly Gollum? (a plausible assumption given Jack Charlton’s eerie presence around the Hogwarts’ corner). Yet, it’s “Sinéad”, tiny, muted, compliant, unnoticed, inconspicuous.
Apologies, but whatever that may be, I assure you, it is certainly not the Sinéad O’Connor we know.